Fuel economizer



June 5, 1934. w, F. GERHARDT FUEL ECONOMI ZER Filed May 17, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet l f wa M Q 3 m m 7: w m w A/ m i n. v G W jg June 5, 1934. w GERHARDT 1,961,290

FUEL ECONOMIZER Filed May 17, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l WW flllorney Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to what is known in the art as a fuel economizer, and which is so connected and related to a boiler as to utilize what would otherwise be waste heat.

An important feature of the present invention is the provision of an economizer of the type suggested composed of a plurality of sections which, to the number desired, may be readily assembled to provide an economizer of the desired size.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved-construction of section or unit for such an apparatus whereby when a number of such sections are assembled a gas chamber is provided having therein a staggered arrangement of bafiles for causing a circuitous passage of the gases through the chamber from one end to the other for the purpose of heating water in a second chamber formed by the sections, provision being made for connecting the water chamber with the circulating system of the hot water system connected with the boiler.

The invention together with its numerous objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

It is to be understood that it is in no wise intended to restrict the invention to the precise details of construction, combination and arrangement of elements as herein specifically illustrated and described, other than may be necessary to meet the requirements of the prior art and scope of the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the fuel economizer illustrating the manner in which the same is connected with a furnace, parts of the outer casing being broken away to illustrate certain details to be hereinafter more fully referred to.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the intermediate sections or units.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of economizer.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5, and

Figure '7 is an elevation of one of the end sections or units.

Briefly, and in accordance with the present invention the fuel economizer in each form thereof consists of a pair of end sections between which may be arranged any desired number of intermediate sections, and in this connection the end sections are identical one with the other while the intermediate sections are unlike the end sections but are identical one with the other, and in each form of the invention each of the intermediate sections are provided with hollow bafiie means, with the arrangement of the bafiies being such that when the sections are assembled said baffles are staggered relative to one another to provide a tortuous gas passage through the gas chamber formed by the assembled sections.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive the end sections are designated by the reference numeral 10 while the intermediate sections are indicated by the reference numeral 11. In the present instance I have shown the assembly composed of four sections 11.

The sections 11 are constructed of cast iron and are hollow and rectangular in shape as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. Vertically extending spaced hollow baffles 15 communicating with the interior of the sections are secured to oppositely disposed sides thereof. As clearly illustrated, the tubular baffles 15 are cross-sectional in shape as illustrated in Fig. 2 having opposite sides converging to a longitudinal sharp edge 16 and the oppositely disposed edges thereto being broad and flat as at 17.

Further, each section 11 is provided on opposite sides thereof with alined conically bored openings 18 providing for the entrance and exit of water from each of the sections and when the sections are assembled the openings 18 aline and have fitted therein the ends of coupling tubes 19 to provide for a circulation of water through the economizer. The interiors of the sections 11 are placed in communication by setting each section or plate a full turn in advance of the next preceding plate or section so that when the plates are assembled the vertical tubing will be disposed in staggered relation as illustrated in Figure 2.

Each end plate 10 is of hollow shell like con- 100 struction and has projecting from one side thereof a marginal flange provided with oppositely disposed openings 20 alined with the openings 18 for communicating the hollows 21 of the end plates with the interiors 13 of the adjacent in- 105 termediate sections 11, and the alined openings 18 and 20 also accommodate coupling tubes similar to the aforementioned tubes 19. Each of the end plates 10 is also provided in the marginal edge thereof with a single port 22 (Fig. 5) and 110 The baillo 39 has the. hollow .31 thereof commuin this connection it will be noted that the end plates are set at a full turn with reference to one another so that the port 22 of one end plate will be disposed at the top of the device, and the port 22 of the other end plate will be disposed at the bottom of the device whereby provision is made for connecting the bottom of the device with the cold water pipe 23 leading from the furnace or boiler 24 and the top of the device with the pipe 25 connected with the pipe 26 of the hot water furnace. Also each of the end plates are provided with an off center port 27 to provide for the positioning of the device between the ends of the pipe 28 which leads directly from the furnace, and pipe 29 which leads to the chimney as clearly shown in Figure 1. In this connection, and as also shown in Figure 1, it will be seen that by having the end plates set a full turn with respect to one another the hot gases in the chamber 12 from the hot furnace 24 through the flue pipe 28 reach the upper portion of the chamber 12 so as to be most effective for heating the water just before the water rising to the top of the device is ready to be distributed throughout the heating s stem. The arrows in Figures 1 and 2 clearly indicate the direction of travel of the hot gases.

It will be further noted, that by having each intermediate plate 11 set a full turn in advance of the next preceding plate or section a staggered arrangement or the baffles is provided thus causing the gases to take a circuitous route when passing through the device from one end to the other thereby providing for a retardation of iiow of the hot gases thus insuring maximum benefit from the heated products of combustion passing through the chamber 12 of the device from the furnace to the chimney.

The form of the invention shown in Figures 5 :and 6 differ from that shown in Figures 1 to 4 only in regard to the structure of the intermediate plates, which in the form of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6 are indicated by the reference numerals 11a. The sections 11a are similar to the sections 11 insofar as the sections 11a are of hollow rectangular form. However each of the sections 1111 has integral with three sides thereaf and relatively spaced from the fourth side thereof a baffle 30 which is of the cross sectional shape clearly shown in Figure 5.

nicating with the hollow 13a of its section 11 neenaeo at the sides of said section with which the baffle is integral, the hollow baflie being thus adapted to receive the water as it circulates through the economizer. As also shown in Figure 5 the sections 11a are each set at a full turn in advance of the next preceding section so that the bafiles 30 are arranged in staggered relation and provide within the gas chamber of the economizer a tortuous passage for the gas leading through the chamber from one end to the other thereof.

In each form of the invention there are interposed between the meeting sides of the sections gaskets 32 to provide a fluid tight joint between the sections. Further, the several intermediate sections, and said end sections are secured together by tie' rods 33 passing through alined apertures provided in the section preferably in proximity to the openings 18 and 26 as shown. Nuts 34 are threaded on the ends of the rods 33.

Further, for use with either type of sectional econornizer, and for enhancing the appearance of the economizer there is provided an enclosing casing 35 therefor, and said casing as shown in Figure l is lined with asbestos or other suitable material 36.

Also, for cleanout purposes each of the end plates or sections 10 is provided adjacent each corner thereof with a clean out door 37 and the end walls of the casing 35 will also be provided with doors 38 alining with the door 37.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a fuel economizer for use in connection with hot water furnaces which can be readily assembled, can be reduced or increased in size as found desirable, and which will at the same time insure maximum benefit from the heated products of combustion without being cumbersome.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

In a heat exchanger, a plurality of hollow rectangular shaped sections, each section having spaced hollow bafiles connecting opposite sides, said sections being so arranged relative to one another as to have the baiile of one section staggered with respect to the baffle of the next adjaccnt section, means communicating said sec tions, and hollow end members secured to each end section and communicating therewith, said end members being provided with gas inlet and outlet apertures.

WILLIAM F. GERHARDT. 

